Green belt housing plan to be decided by government

Plans for more than 100 homes on a green belt site near York have been approved subject to a final decision by the government.

Developers Jomast and Together Housing said the development on land to the east of New Lane In Huntington was aimed at people who have increasingly become priced out of York.

The application attracted 13 objections raising concerns about the flood risk of the site and traffic issues.

The plans were approved on Thursday, but the council said a decision on the scheme would be made by the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government Angela Raynor.

The plans include a mix of homes ranging in size from two to four-bedroom homes, along with public open space.

Together Housing's application pointed out just 461 additional affordable homes were delivered in York between 2013 and 2019.

It added the increase in supply during that time was 77 when homes lost through the Right to Buy scheme were taken into account.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the application stated the objections about flooding were due to the site being “susceptible to flooding”, while it was also acknowledged that “whilst acknowledge affordable housing is needed, it should not be on green belt”.

Huntington Parish Council also objected and called for the plans to be refused over road safety concerns, particularly about the safety of those crossing New Lane.

Supporters of the plans, which included the York and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, highlighted the site was near existing facilities and public transport links.

The planning application stated: “The housing will be offered with a period of exclusivity to local key workers in the city, such as NHS staff, social and care workers, school workers, civil servants, and emergency service workers.

“The proposed scheme will help meet an existing and growing critical need for affordable housing in York.”

Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North or tell us a story you think we should be covering here.